Action against Bank Islam chief economist on the cards?

 

(Harakah Daily) – A prediction about the outcome of the next general election has landed Bank Islam Malaysia’s chief economist in trouble, with a possible disciplinary action on the cards.

On January 11, Singapore’s Straits Times reportedly quoted Bank Islam’s Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajuddin (pic) as telling a forum in the city-state that Barisan Nasional may win only between 97 and 107 seats in the coming polls, not enough to form the next government.

Presenting his views at the Regional Outlook Forum, Azrul warned that Pakatan Rakyat’s slim win could spell some “instability”, and even said there was a possibility of “economic sabotage” by businesses aligned with BN.

BIMB managing director Zukri Samat immediately wrote a disclaimer to the daily, saying it had nothing to do with Azrul’s views.

“The views expressed by Mr Azrul are entirely his personal view and should not be linked or attributed to Bank Islam whatsoever,” he added.

According to news portal The Malaysian Insider, the BIMB’s management would meet over Azrul’s statement.

Deputy Finance minister Awang Adek Hussin meanwhile criticised Azrul for his views, saying he should not be talking about politics “in view of his influential position in a bank that is based on the Islamic concept in Malaysia”.

Awang also added that he would let BIMB decide on the “type of action” against Azrul.

“True, Azrul Azwar expressed his personal view, but does that show his professionalism?” asked Awang as quoted by UMNO mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia. The right-wing paper has however claimed that Azrul had predicted a “narrow win” for BN.